Month: November 2019

When it comes to how much income you can earn without having to pay any federal income taxes, this is a relatively simple determination for most people when Social Security is not a factor. “Once people file for Social Security, though,” the author of today’s article notes, “things become a bit more complicated.” He charts out the tax-free limits with Social Security – and shows how “you can have a total income in the high five figures, potentially even six figures, and still keep federal income taxes low or even at zero.” For more, CLICK HERE.

How would you like to only have to save half as much as you otherwise would for retirement? The author of today’s article outlines how you can turn that fantasy into a reality with proper fee management, pointing out that “You lose over half a million dollars just from [a] small difference in fees, because small amounts multiplied over 40 years always become big amounts at the end. Everyone loves talking about how compounding interest is key to building wealth, but it cuts both ways. Fees compound, too.” For more, CLICK HERE.

With their own distinct risk and reward characteristics, foreign government bonds can be a useful addition to a diversified portfolio. But do they make sense for retirees now at a time when approximately 25% of the foreign bond market trades with negative yields? Surprisingly, they might — under the right circumstances. This is due to what the author of today’s article describes as “a peculiar quirk of the foreign currency market”. For more on why retirees might actually want to consider negative-yielding foreign government bonds, CLICK HERE.

Does building a portfolio worth $1 million – and capable of generating at least $30,000 in annual dividend income – sound like a goal that’s completely out of reach, or like an achievable goal worth pursuing? The author of today’s article argues that the difference between those who respond negatively to this idea and those who respond positively to it is that individuals in the latter group “understand the simple mechanics behind achieving financial independence, and [are] using the tools within their disposal to get there.” What are these “simple wealth-building tools” within everyone’s disposal? CLICK HERE.

With numerous studies indicating that “steady buying of quality companies at reasonable to attractive valuations is far better than market timing”, the author of today’s article buys $750 of a dividend stock every week for their retirement portfolio. For the three stocks under consideration for this week’s purchase and an in-depth look at the pros and cons of each, CLICK HERE.

How much of your income do you need to save for retirement? As little as 4% — or as much as 44%! That’s what’s revealed in a new chart posted by data visualization site FlowingData.com, with where you fall on the 4% to 44% saving spectrum depending on when you start saving for retirement and when you plan to retire. What does this chart indicate about your particular savings needs? CLICK HERE.

“Over the course of your lifetime — unless you’re making a lot of money or live extremely modestly on a reasonable salary — you’re going to find it hard to simply put away enough money to retire. The money you put away should, ideally, be working for you and growing at a pace (much) faster than inflation,” notes the author of today’s article, who proceeds to provide some “thoughts on how to leverage the power of investing to give yourself the best chance at a great retirement.” For more, CLICK HERE.

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) have been gaining popularity as investment approaches, but are ESG/SRI funds good for retirees and soon-to-be-retirees? The author of today’s article believes that “The ensuing debate over SRI and ESG investing is potentially an existential one for retirees and soon-to-be retirees”, given the question as to whether these approaches lead to diminished – or superior – returns. What does the research have to say about the suitability of ESG/SRI funds for retirees? CLICK HERE.

With interest rates back on the decline and the bull market in stocks in its latter stages, the author of today’s article advises that those investing for retirement “should broaden their knowledge of the tools at their disposal” for generating retirement income – including “one somewhat obscure strategy”: selling covered calls. What are covered calls, what are the risks associated with them, and what are some ideal scenarios for selling covered calls? CLICK HERE.

While fixed income investing tends to be associated with retirees (and, indeed, retired investors are one of three investor profiles that the author of today’s article believes should consider devoting a significant part of their portfolios to fixed income), it’s an investing strategy anyone can benefit from, with the author noting that “The low-risk, predictable nature of this investment can add essential stability relative to the uncertain nature of stocks and commodities.” For more on fixed income investing – including different types of fixed income investments, the benefits (and risks) of fixed income, and the two other investor profiles that, along with retired investors, may want to consider a significant allocation to fixed income – CLICK HERE.